Your colony begins on a massive abandoned oil rig rising above the ocean. The pre-existing steel structure provides a stable foundation — the best starting platform in any scenario.
Key Challenge
The rig's existing structure looks sturdy but has hidden corrosion damage. Several sections have reduced load capacity that isn't visible without the stress overlay. Building heavy machinery on corroded sections will trigger partial collapses.
Strategy
- 1.
Start by scanning the entire starting platform with the stress overlay before placing any buildings. Mark corroded zones (they appear yellow even with no load) and avoid placing anything heavier than housing on them until they are repaired.
- 2.
The Oil Rig has pre-existing oil reserves accessible via Pump Jacks (buildable from Day 1 without research). Establish a Fuel supply chain immediately — this is the only scenario where Fuel is available before the Refinery research. Use this advantage to build a Distillation Tower for water by Day 5.
- 3.
The scenario's narrative event at Day 20 triggers a structural failure in the rig's southwest section. This is scripted and unavoidable. Prepare by ensuring no critical production buildings are in the southwest quadrant before Day 20.
- 4.
Late-game objective: convert the central drill shaft into a communication tower to signal other survivor colonies. This requires 40 steel, 20 concrete, and an Engineer with the Communication Tower research — plan your material stockpiles around this endgame goal.
Quick Tips
- ▶ Use the rig's elevated platform height advantage — you start higher above the water line than any other scenario, giving more buffer against tide surges.
- ▶ The rig's narrow walkways limit Worker movement. Build internal transport routes (Cargo Slides) early to speed up carry chains between floors.
- ▶ Recruit the Sailors faction leader as your first leader — their trade route bonus brings in steel components you cannot produce locally.